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The data debunks the denial: Bold climate action sooner costs less in dollars and lives

In reaction to a historical day of climate policy action by the Biden Administration, some loud political and media voices continue to claim that climate action is too costly. These claims are idiocy. At this moment, we must remind naysayers that study after study shows the huge costs of waiting to act and points not … Read more

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Let’s be brave enough to see it and be it

Kudos to President Joe Biden for his courage in speaking truth and science to the world. His inaugural address made clear the urgent need to heal the nation and the planet: “We’ll press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, … Read more

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Upcoming Climate Center webinars to focus on climate science and fossil fuel phaseout

The Climate Center is kicking off its Climate Safe California winter webinar series with the first two webinars focused on climate science and a just transition away from the fossil energy era. Webinar 1. What the Science Requires The first titled “What the Science Requires” will take place on Tuesday, January 26th, 10am – 11am. … Read more

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The fossil fuel industry wants you to believe it’s good for people of color

by Sammy Roth, The Los Angeles Times Highlights Fossil fuel companies claim to be working in favor of communities of color, including indigenous and tribal groups, by pushing their natural gas agenda Gas industry groups and organizations that accept fossil fuel money promote the idea that a transition away from natural gas will disproportionately affect … Read more

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Governor Newsom has taken a bold first step. Urge him to do more.

Golden Gate by Benjamin W.

After several weeks of record-breaking heat, fires, and smoke, Governor Newsom today reiterated that we are in a climate emergency and announced Executive Order N-79-20 requiring 100% of all new in-state sales of cars and light trucks to be zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.  This makes California the first state in the nation to ban new … Read more

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Lawmakers let oil and gas interests sicken us. Governor Newsom can put us on the path to recovery. (CalMatters op-ed by The Climate Center)

By Venise Curry, MD, and Ellie Cohen, Special to CalMatters September 14, 2020 https://calmatters.org/commentary/my-turn/2020/09/lawmakers-let-oil-and-gas-interests-sicken-us-gov-newsom-can-put-us-on-the-path-to-recovery/ Make no mistake about it. Climate change is powering California’s perfect storm of record heat, lightning, drought, wildfire and smoke amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and electricity blackouts. In his video message to the Democratic National Convention in August, Governor Gavin Newsom … Read more

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Blackouts: Let’s build reliable clean power

“One factor that did not cause the rotating outage: California’s commitment to clean energy. Renewable energy did not cause the rotating outages.” That’s right, California’s climate policies and clean energy goals did not cause the state’s recent blackouts, as the three lead California energy agencies wrote in a letter to the Governor and the Legislature in August. The … Read more

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Let’s ensure that communities already burdened by pollution benefit from a transition to clean energy

Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate sent a message that climate change policy in a Biden Administration will focus on ensuring that communities already burdened by pollution benefit from a transition to clean energy, following up on Senator Harris’ recent proposed legislation, the Climate Equity Act. Equity was also the focus … Read more

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California oil production limits stall in Legislature, leaving the issue to Newsom

More than 95% of all Federal drilling occurs in established fields within the Kern County area of the San Joaquin Valley.

by Phil Willon, The Los Angeles Times Highlights Assembley Bill 345, legislation that would have mandated setbacks of oil drilling sites from homes, schools, and other community dwellings, was voted down 5-4 The bill would have also required the Department of Conservation to create an environmental justice progam where residents near drilling sites could voice their … Read more

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Harris and Ocasio-Cortez team up on a Climate ‘Equity’ Bill

by Ilana Cohen, Inside Climate News Highlights California Senator Kamala Harris and Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez unveiled an updated version of their Climate Equity Act that was initially released a year ago as Senator Harris was running for the Democratic Presidential nomination The Climate Equity Act would: Create an Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability  … Read more